Safety balanced air-machine.



G. M. ABSALOM.

, SAFETY BALANCED AIR MAG HINE.

APPLICATION TILED AUG. 6(1912. v 1,045,651, Patented Nov. 26, 1912.

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G. M. ABSALUM.

SAFETY BALANCED AIR MACHINE.

Q APPLICATION FILED AUG. 5, 1912.v 1,45,657.

Patented Nov. 26, 1912.

4 SHEETSSHBET 2.

VENTOR Atlorney IVJYYVESSES Patented Nov.'26, 1912.

4 SHEETS-8 REST 3' 2., WE I I, -5

H H m N l mmmuumuiv-u 7 ix-WW NT R G. M. ABSALOM. SAFETY BALANCED AIR MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 5, 1912. I

, Patented Nov. 26, 191! 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

GEORGE M. ABSALOILEQOF CAISTOB CENTRE, ONTARIO, CANADJL,

' SAFETY BALANCED AIR'MACI-IINE.

Pal- 81257., Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August. 5,

Patented is av. 28, 1912. Serial No. 713,319.

To all. 1127mm it may concern:

lie. it known that Gnonon M. Ansaiion, i citizen of Qanada, residing at Caistor Celt tre, in the Province of Ontario and Dominion of Canada, have invented new and useful Improvements in Safety Balanced litirQvlachines, of which the'following is a sp" fication. I

V y present invention pertains toair ships of the aeroplane t vpeyand it contemplates the provision f what may be properly denominated a safetv-balanced air navigating machine. since it will not turn over and will iv after the manner of a kite or bird, and this with steadiness since the large plane will act as a sail and the disposition of all the weight l'eluw the plane or planes will maintain the aviator at all times in a safe position.

The inven-tioii also contemplates the provision of a safety balanced air navigating machine in which all of the important elements are entirely under the control of the navigator andniaybe expeditiouslyinanipir lated by him as occasion demands.

The invention further contemplates the provision of an air navigating machine emhod ving means whereby the aviator is enabled to thoroughly control the movement of the machine on the ground prior to the ascent of the machine and subsequent to the descent of the machine.

The invention further contemplates the provision of propelling means entirely under the control of the aviator and so disposed as to enable the aviator by adjustment to use the said propelling means to the best ad vantage.

, (Ether peculiar and advantageous charac-' teristies of the invention will be fully understood from the following.description and claims when the same are read in connection with the drawings. accompanying and forming part of this specilhzation, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine constituting the best practical'embodimeat of my invention that I have as yet devised. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged View, partly in elevaion and partly in section, showing certain oi the controlling devices embraced in the machine and also showing the manner in which the main frame of the machine is pivotallv mounted on the carriage. Fig. 4 is a detail horizontal view illustrating the relprised in the -appurtenances is mnploveifl 'which the same is adju ted,

ative arrangement of two sub-frames comuiachine. Fig. 4- is a detail view showing the planes, a propeller at one end of the frame carrying the planes. and the means through the medium of which the propeller is adjusted it being understood in this connection that a similar propeller and at the opposite end of the frame Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view showing partly in section and partly in elevation the means for adjusting the propellervertically. Fig. (3 is a view taken at rigl'it angles to Fig. l, and showing the relative arrangemerit ol the propeller. the means through and the. means through which the propeller is driven.

Similar numerals designate f n-rcspomling parts in all of the views of the orawings. referring to which: i V I 1 is the carriage. of the IllflCllll'lP, and E2 is the main frame thereof. The carriage 1 may be of au v light ci'instructimii consonant with the purpose. of inv iiivention, and is providetl at its "forward end with an atvle 3 hearinggroui'id wheels 41-, its l't end with a combined runner and vane 52 the said combined runner and vane comprising an upright portion 6, and blades '2' which extend laterally from oppi'isite sides. of the upright portion at an intermediate point in theheight thereof.

At an intermediate point of its length the i l. lli'lll ill carriage l is provided with a support 8. and

upon said support super msed a hearing 9 upon which in turn is so )UStfCl the main frame 2. Fixed to the carriage 1 in anysuitable manner is an upright sleeve 10 which extends througl'i the hearing 9 and also through the floor of the main frame. and is provided with a flange 11 which bears upon the floor 2 with a view to holding the said floor down noon the bearing and the said bearing 9 down th carriage 1. The sleeve 10 emu s pporting shaft 12, and on s; xed a spur gear 13. This latte d with a spur gear 1% cai'rit .3 which is stepped'as showin 1;. table bearing 16. The shaft 15 is also in l mall subframe 17 and above tin, ramc the shaft is provided with a circ disk 18 against which bears a springessed brake shoe 19 which has for its otlice to prevent too free movement of the carriage 1 under out main frame The shaft 15 is also provided at 1.53 with a tlitlij., and with that. carries the planes.-

, said disk is designed to cooperate a pawl springthrough the medium of the hand grill). mounted on the lever 21. By virtue er this construction it will be observed that the operator who occupies the seat 2 1, Fig. 2, is enabled toconveniently oscillate the lever 21, and incidental to said oscillation to turn the shaft 15 through the medium of the pawl 20 and the ratchet disk 19. Incidental to the turning of the shaft- 15, the

shaft- 12 will also be turned and the carriage 1 will be moved in one direction or the other under the main frame 2. From this it follows that the operator is enabled to adequately guide themachine during its movement on the ground and prior to a flight. and is also enabled to properly guide the machine after it reaches the ground subse quent to a flight and before it loses. its mo menturn. The shaft; 12; is suitably fixed at tilts the a ag 1 The main frame 2 of the machine is prefstably of the general construction illustrated, though it may be of any other suitable construction without involving departure from the scope of my claimed in- Figs. 1 and 3.

vention.

Pivotally mounted at 30 in'the upper por tlon of the main frame 2 is a suheframe 3.1

which is designed to be. swung vertically in the direction of the length of the machine. and piyigit'ed; at 3.2 and 32 to the said sub- 31 is the plane frame 33: the said frame being provided with depending arcuate portions 34 through the medium of which the pivotal connection of the plane frame to the sub-frame 3]. is effected, Thus. it will be manifest that the plane frame 33 can be swung vertically? in the direction of the width the machine. For the purpose of enabling the operator in the seat 24 to so swing the plane frame and the parts carried thereby. I provide the means best shown in The said means comprises a curvilinear harp connected at its ends to e plane frame, as indicated at 38 and 38 angthaving at an intermediate point of its length a rack 3.9, o Shaft 4H) iournaled in a bearing; 4:1, on the floorof the main frame 9. and having at one end a spur gear 42 intermeshed with the rack 39', and also having at its opposite end a worm gear 43, Fig. 1, and

EL haft: 4. bearing a hand wheel 45 and also bearing a worm screw 46 th at is intermeshed with the worm gear 4.3. By virtue of this construction, it will be manifest that the aviator in the seat; 24: is enabled by turning the. Wheel45 to move the curvilinear bar 37 and through the same to tilt the plane frame in one direction or the other according to the direction in which the wheel 45 is turned. It Wlll also be manifest that the said'con- Struction is such that the curvilinear bar 37 and the plane frame 83 will be retained in the positions in which they are placed and against casual movementfrom said positions.

At its ends the plane frame 33 is provided with upwardly extending bars 50 which are hingedat 5.1 to the plane frame 33. Suitably connected to and extending between the bars 50 are planes 52 of which any suitable number may be employed; the said planes ibeing separated by an interveningspace and, being designed to operate after the manner of sails with a view to lending buoyancy and stability to the machine while in the air. The bars 50 are maintained in the position shown in Fig. 1, so as to hold the planes 52 which are preferably of canvas or the like taut or under tension. The means I employ for said purpose are struts 53, pivoted at 54 to the plane frame and having their upper andouter ends removably arranged in sockets 55 on the bars 50. By virtue of this construction when the bars 50 are pressed outward suiiiciently to enable the pockets to clear the outer ends of the s ruts 53, the said strut-s may be swung inward, as may also the bars 50, and in said' 0% and disposed atright angles thereto are the side propellers 64 of the machine, which side propellers per so may be of the construction illustrated or of any other constructionconsonant with the purpose of my invention without involving departure from the scope of the same as claimed. The shafts (35 of the propellers 64- are journaled in stays 66 fixed to and extending outward from the rings 62. The said shafts are also provided with miter gears 67, and with the said miter gears 67 are intermeshed miter gears (38 on a shaft 69 journaledin suitable bear ings 70 on the plane frame. By transmit ting rotary motion to the shaft (39 it will be manifest that the propellers 64 will be rotated.

J ournaled in suitable bearings carried by the plane frame is a shaft 71, and on the ends of said shaft arepinions 72 which are inter-meshed with the racks 63 on the rings 62, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 6 of the drawings,- and also in Fig. 1. The shaft 71 is also provided with a screw gear 72, and with said screw gear is intermeshed a worm screw 73 carried by an upright shaft 74, journaled in suitable bearlngs in the plane frame 33-an'd extending down within the main frame to a point adjacentthe aviators seat where it terminates in a wheel having a handle 76. By turning the hand wheel 75 theaviator is enabled to swing the propellers 64- vertica llgl" sofas to use the same to advan age, and by i'eason oifthewo rm screw 73 cooperating with the worm' gear 72, it will be understood that the propellers 64 will remain in the vertical positions in which at the opposite end of the plane framewith refere'nce to the propeller shown in Fig. 4,

is identical in construction with said propeller. It will also beunderstood that the vertical adjustment of the propellers 61 will not interfere with thetransmission of rotary motion to the said propellers, inasmuch as the centers of the rings 62 and the shaft 69 are coincident.

By reason of the sub-frame 31 being pivoted at 30 and 30 to the main frame 2, the plane frame 33 and the parts carried thereby are capable of being swung vertically in .the direction of the length of the machine. To so swing the sub-frame 31 on the centers formed by the bearings 30 and the pivotal connections 38, the mechanism best shown in Fig. 3 and at the left of Fig. l is provided: The said mechanism comprises an arm fixed to and depehding from the forward portion of the sub-frame 31, an arm 81 fixed to and depending from the rear portion of the sub-frame 31 and carried forward and connected at 82 to the depending arm 80, a lever 83 connected to and depend- .ing from the upper portion of the main frame 2, and a link 84 interposed between the lever 83, at an intermediate point in the length thereof, and the lower ends of the arms 80 and 81, and connected to said elements. Said mechanism also comprises a transverse shaft 85 journaled in suit-able bearings on the floor of the main frame 2, and having an arm 86, a link 87 connecting the ends of the lever 83 and the arm 86, a notched disk 88 fixed on the shaft 85, a second notched'di'sk 89 fixed on said shaft 85, a spring-pressed pawl90 arranged with in convenient reach of the aviators foot and designed by cooperating with the disk '88 to lock the shaft 85 against rotation and thereby prevent casual swinging movement of the sub-frame '31 and the plane frame 33 in the direction of the lengthof the machine, and a hand lever 91 loosely mounted on the shaft 85 and carrying a spring-pressed detent 92 positioned to cooperate with the disk 89. From this it will be manifest that the aviator by pressing with 'his foot on the pawl 90 to disengage the same from the disk 88, is enabled to release the parts for vertical swinging of the planes in the direction of the length of the machine, and then through the medium of the lever 91 and the detent 92 and the disk 89, the aviator is enabled to swing or tilt the planes in the direction of the length of the machine.

Pivotally mounted in'the sub-frame 31 at the points 30 is a second sub-frame 93. This second sub-frame 93 is designed to swing verticall in the direction of the length of the mac 11116, and is provided with a rearward'itxtension 94.having .a bearing 95 at its rear end. J ournaled'in suitable bearings provided in the sub-frame 93 and also jour- 'naled in the bearing 95 is the shaft 96 of the main propeller 97 of the machine.

In order to enable the aviator in the seat 24: to adjust the sub-frame 93, the extension 91 and the propeller 9? vertically and in the direction of the length of the machine,

I provide the mechanism best shown in Figs. 1 and :2, and partly shown in Fig. 3. .The. .said mechanism comprises a link 98 pivoted to and. depending from the "extension 9%, a link 99 pivoted to and depending fronrthe sub-frame 93 at a point in front 1 of the center of movement thereof, a link 100 connected at 101 to the lower ends of the links 98 and 99, a shaft 102 journaled in a support 103 on the floor of the main frame 2 and having an arm 101 connected to the forward end of the link 100, a worm gear 105 fixed onthe shaft 102, and a shaft 100 journaled in the support 103 and having at one end a worm screw 107 intermeshed with the worm gear 105, and at its opposite and rear end a hand wheel 108 arranged in close proximity to the aviators seat 24. From this it will be readily understoodthat the aviator is enabled by turning the wheel 108 to throw or adjust the propeller 9T upward or downward, as occasion demands: and I would also haveit here understood that through the medium of the combined rudder and vane a") the aviator is enabled to guide the machine while in th air toward one side or the other.

Any suitable type of engine may-be employed for driving the rear propeller 97 and the side propellers (it. and I prefer to place the said engine on the forward portion or.

in front of the center of movement of the sub-frame 93 so that the weight of the engine will be somewhat counterbalanced by the long extension 94 and the propeller 97 disposed at the rear end of said extension. In this coi'mection I would say that the engine per so forms no part of my present invention, nor do the driving connections intermediate the engine and the shafts 96 and 69. It is obvious. however. that any suitable driving connection might :be em- .ployed between the engine and the shaft 96,

Eli

and a flexible shaft, for instance, might be 'em loved intermediate the en ine and the shaft 69, so as not to interfere with the driving of the propellers 64 incidental to manipulation or adjustment of the plane frame 33.

When my novel machine is in motion in the air, it will be manifestthat raising of the forward portions of the plane and depression of the rear portions thereof will be attended by upward and forward movement of the machine, while raising of the rear, portions of the planes and depression of the forward portions thereof will bring about downward movement of the machine, and when engine stopped, the machine will glide downward. l ouldalso have it here understood that as the machine approaches the ground the aviator is enabled by t pping the plane or planes so as to make direction to raisethe left hand end of theplane frame, while 1f the aviator desires to swoop toward the left. it is simply neces sary for him to manipulate said hand wheel so as to raise the right hand endof the plane frame. The rear propeller 97 is raised and lowered to drive the machine in the direction desired, or rather to assist in making a' quick and sharp ascent.

\Vhen the machineis in the air it will be manifest that the pivotal balance point and the weight are below the plane or planes, and hence there is no liability ofthe machine turning over under ordinary or nor mal conditions.

By reason of the described adjustability of the side propellers 64, it is obvious that the said side propellers can be positioned so as to drive the machine to the best advantage to propel the machine in the direction desired. For instance if the aviator is desirous of moving upward at a slight angle from the perpendicular, the propellers 6 are moved to and adjustably fixed in a posi tion near the horizontal, while when the aviator is desirous of moving forward parallel or approximately parallel to the surface of the earth, the propellers 64 are moved to and adjustably fixed in a vertical or approximately vertical position, and when the rear propeller 97 tends to raise the ma chine above the height desired, the side propellers 64 can be adjusted and adjustably fixed to counteract the said tendency.

I have entered into a detailed description of the construction and relative arrangement of the parts embraced in the present and best practical embodiment of my invention that I have as yet devised, in order to impart a full, clear and exact undcrstandii'ig of the said embodiment. I-do not desire, however, to be understood as confining myself to the said specific construction and relative ar rangement of parts as in the future practice of the invention such changes or modifications may be made as do not involve departure from the scope of my invention as defined in the claims appended- For instance it is manifest that the manipulatingdevices arranged adjacent the aviators seat and within convenient reaclrof the avlators hands and fcet, may beof the construction illustrated and specifically described, or of any other construction compatible with the purpose of my invention, also, the main frame can be mounted upon the carriage in the manner shown and. specifically described, or in any other approved manner.

Having described n'iy invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

1. In a machine for the purpose described, the combination of a main frame, a sub frame pivoted in the main frame to swing in the direction of the length of the'machine, a plane frame pivoted to said sub'frame to swing in the direction of the width of the machine, a curvilinear bar extending through the main frame and pivoted to the plane frame at points in alinement with the center of movementof the sub-frame, means connected with the sub-frame for adjusting and adjustably fixing the same with respect to the main frame, and means cooperating with said curvilinear bar for adjustably fixing the plane frame with respect to the main frame and the sub-frame.

2. In a machine for the purpose described, the combination of a main frame, a subframe pivoted in the main frame to swing in the direction of the length of the machine, a plane frame pivoted to said sub-frame to swing in the direction of the width of the machine, a curvilinear bar extending through the main frame and pivoted to the plane frame at points in alinement with the center of movement of the sub-frame and having a rack, means connected with the sub-frame for adjusting and adjustably fixing the same with respect to the main frame, a gear carricd by the main frame and intermeshed swing in the direction of the Width of the machine, means for adjusting and adjustably fixing the plane frame with respect to the main frame and the sub-frame; the connec tion of said means with the plane frame being coincident with the center of movement of the sub-f 'ame, arms connected with and depending from the forward and rear portions of the sub-frame, a lever connected with the main frame, a link connecting said arms with said lever, and means on the main frame for adjusting and adjustably fixing said lever.

5 In a machine for the purpose described,

the combination of a main frame, a plane frame pivotally connected with the main frame to swing in the direction of the width of the machine, a curvilinear bar extending through the main frame and having its ends connected with the plane frame, at opposite sides of the main frame, and having a rack, a gear carried by the main frame and intermeshed with the rack of the curvilinear bar, and means on the main frame for operating and controlling the said gear.

5. In a machine for the purpose described, the combination of a carriage having ground wheels on its forward portion and a coirbined rudder and vane on its rear portion, a main frame superposed on said carriage, a shaft extending'locsely through the floor of the main frame and fixedly connected to the carriage and having a spur gear at a point above said floor, a second shaft journaled in bearings on the carriage and having a spur gear inter-meshed with the first-named spur gear, means for creating friction and there by preventing too free rotation of the said shaft, a lever, and means intermediate the lever and the second-named shaft for transmitting motion from the former to the latter;

6. In a machine for the purpose described, the combination of a suitably equipped carriage, a main frame pivoted thereon and provided with an aviators seat, a lever arranged adjacentsaid seat, means connected with said lever whereby the aviator is enabled to swing the carriage underthe main frame, a sub-frame mounted in the main frame to swing in the direction of the length thereof, means within convenient reach of the aviators seat wherebyltlie aviator is enabled to so swing the sub-frame, a plane frame pivoted on the sub-fran'ie to swing in the direction of the width of the machine, and means within convenient reach of the aviators-seat whereby the avialor is enabled to so swing and adjustably fix the plane frame. T. In a machine for thepurposedeserilaal, the combination of a suitably equipped cara main frame pivoted thereon and provided with an 'aviators seat, a lever arranged adjacent salt scat. means connected with said lmer \vl'ierebv the aviator is enabled-to swing the carriage under. the main frame, a sub-frame mounted in the main I frame to swing in the direction of the length thereof, means within convenient reach of the aviators seat whereby the aviator is enabled to so swing the sub-frame, a plane frame pivoted on the sub-frame to swing in the direction of the width of the machine, means within convenient reach of the aviator-s seat whereby the aviator is enabled to so swing and adjustably fix the plane frame, a'second sub-frame mounted within the first-named sul frame to swing in the direction of the leit'gth of the machine, a propeller carried by said secondnamed sub-frame, and means within convenient reach of the aviators s at where y the aviator is enabled to adjust andadjustably fix the second-named sub-fra me 8. In a machine for the purpose described, the combination of a suitably equipped car riage, a main frame pivoted thereon and provided with an aviators-seat, mearr-= arranged adjacent the aviators seat whereby the aviator is enabled to'swing the carriage under the main frame, a sub-frame mounted in the main frame to swing in the direction of the length thereof, means within convenient reach. of the aviators seat whereby the aviator is enabled to so swing the sub-frame, a plane frame pivoted on the sub-frame to swing in the direction of the width of the machine, means Within convenient'reach of the aviators seat whereby the aviator is enabled to so swing and adjustably fix the plane frame, a second subfranie mounted within the first-named subframe to swing in the direction of the length of the machine, a propeller carried by said second-named sub-frame; means within convenient reach of the aviators seat I whereby the aviator is enabled to adjust and adjustably fix the second-named sub-fran1e, adjustable propellers carried at theien'ds of the plane f 'ame, and means arranged within convenient reach of the aviatcrs seat whereby the aviator is enabled to adjust and adjustably fix said propellers t). In a machine for the purpose described, the cmnbination of a plane frame, bars hinged to the end portions thereof and havll g pockets, one or a plurality of planes of flexible imiterial. connected with'and-extending l-elvveei'i said bars, and struts pivoted to the plane frame and removablv the Plllh't'lri of said'bars;

It). In a machine for the purpose described. the combination of a plane Flame. :1 main frame po itioned under the plane frame. a :nh-frame to which (he plane frame is pivoted to swing ill the direction of the width ofthe machine: mid sub-frame being pivoted in the main frame to \'\'lll;l in the direction of the ll-uglh ol' the nuu'hiu'e, a r-tt'tlll l nib-frame pivoted in the lir.--i -na' n el sub-frame to swing in'lhe ilirerl-ionof length of the uuuthine, a propeller:

arranged in -by said secon named sub-frame, adjustable In testimony whereof I have hereunto set propellers carried by the plane frame, and my hand in presenceof two subscribing wit- 10 means carried by the main frame and posi- ,nesses.

tioned orhung under the plane frame for 5 adjusting and adjustably fixing the first- GEORGE named sub-frame, the second-named sub- Witnesses:

frame, the plane frame and the propellers JAS. M. SHEPARD, at the ends of said plane frame. I RICHARD BUTLER.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by'addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

i .Wash'ington, D. G. l 

